MANCHESTER, N.H. —
New Hampshire organizations affected by federal cuts to AmeriCorps shared their concerns Monday morning with members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation.
The government has cut about $400 million in federal grants for AmeriCorps, and New Hampshire organizations say the cuts affect everything from conservation efforts to public school safety.
“It’s about $5 million, and it’s about 500 members impacted,” said Pawn Nitichan, executive director of City Year.
Members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation said AmeriCorps programs are a good value.
“The value of these programs is really immeasurable when you talk about the impact, for instance, of City Year on the Manchester public schools,” said U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire. “It’s extraordinary.”
A Squam Lakes Association program that teaches people about conservation and maintains trails was terminated because of the cuts.
“There is bipartisan support, there has always been bipartisan support for this legislation because it makes sense,” said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire.
The federal government claims the cuts aren’t arbitrary.
“AmeriCorps has failed eight consecutive audits and identified over $45 million in improper payments in 2024 alone,” the White House said in a statement. “President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch.”
New Hampshire’s delegates said they will push for change in Washington.
“As we are on a number of fronts right now, fighting for the federal dollars that were promised to the state of New Hampshire any way we can,” said U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-New Hampshire.
Several states have joined a lawsuit against the federal government about the cuts, but New Hampshire is not one of them. Members of the delegation said they’d like to see that change.
